Environmental Science

As
part of a class research project Tracy and Lupita are taking sediment
samples in Hartford's Trout Brook, a small urban stream just minutes
from campus.

Hands-on Education In and Outside the Classroom:

If you are interested in the earth’s environment
and the role we humans play on this planet you might want to major in
environmental science. As an environmental science major you will acquire a
firm grasp of the basic science needed to describe and understand the behavior
of natural systems. After several introductory courses in environmental
science, biology, chemistry, geology and sometimes physics or climate change,
our students have a solid background in the relevant natural sciences.

They then take several upper-level courses in the earth sciences, biology or physics to deepen their understanding of environmental
issues. Courses here include ecology, environmental or organic chemistry, earth
systems science, a course on soils, or several biology courses such as botany,
conservation biology or a course on invasive species.

Soil science students (ENVS 305) study a soil profile at Horsebarn Hill on the campus of the University of Connecticut.

Student Research Opportunities:

Many of our students are also involved in research. They have investigated the effects of clear-cutting on soil chemistry, determined
the home ranges of urban hawk populations, investigated the ecotoxicology of
urban amphibian and reptile populations, and studied seed dispersal by horses
or the impact of prescribed wildfires on soils. The possibilities are numerous,
and we highly recommend them to our students.

Hadley, T.J. , Matt and Celeste are sampling a sediment core for a study on past environmental change.

Environmental Science Within a Liberal Arts Education:

Environmental science, however, does not occur in a vacuum, far removed from interests and actions of humans. Our students also take at
least two courses in the social sciences or the humanities. The choices here
include coursework on environmental policy, nature writing, economics or anthropology. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the major, many students chose to combine environmental science with another major such as biology, chemistry,
engineering, economics or public policy and law.

Bringing
our science to the community: Former ENVS postdoc Cameron Douglass
presents student-designed information signs to members of a local land
trust at the Knox Park Preserve in Stonington, CT. The signs were
designed by Eunice Kimm as part of an independent research project,
merging her interests in environmental science and the arts.

Environmental science merges the natural environment with human actions. We therefore encourage our students to take relevant courses in the social sciences and humanities as well to learn how humans have shaped
their environments or, in return, are shaped by the world in which they live.
Relevant courses may include classes in public policy and law and environmental
economics, but also classes in history or English. Again, students can choose
from a large (and often changing) list of relevant courses across a wide range
of disciplines to customize the program to their interests and career goals. The Bachelor of Arts option allws students to take even more advanced courses in the social sciences and humanities.

Students
exploring the ghost town of Bodie, CA. Bodie was once a thriving mining
town where almost 40 million dollars worth of gold and silver were
extracted from several mines between 1877 and 1881. However, the gold
rush was short-lived and today Bodie is preserved as a California State
Historic Park.

The ENVS Community:

Majoring in environmental science is not just about
classwork, however. We are a small, close-knit program and know our students
well. During the warmer months we often have barbecues, the famous McCookouts,
behind our building (McCook Hall).

McCookouts
during the off-season. A little bit of snow might delay the school bus but
won’t slow us down!

Every summer we try to go on a fieldtrip to some exciting place to learn about different landscapes, new environments and have fun while doing it. In the past, we’ve been to the southwestern United States, the Black
Hills of South Dakota, Washington State or even Iceland. Yes, we learn a lot on
these trips (new rocks, new plants, new birds, new ways to cook pancakes on a camp stove – the possibilities are endless), but these trips are also a lot of fun
and a great way to get to know each other. Adam and Christopher preparing dinner - Price Canyon, UT.

Environmental Science majors have the unique opportunity to
combine their love for the outdoors and natural world with a rigorous study of
the natural and social sciences. After graduation our majors go on to careers
in many different fields: some work as environmental consultants while others
go on to graduate- , medical- or law-school. Some of our majors work for state
or federal governments (or government agencies), or various foundations. The
possibilities are almost endless.

For more information, feel free to contact the current
director of the program, Dr. Christoph Geiss and check out the remainder of our
site. We love to hear from you!